Chickens won't Lay
Chickens won't Lay
Have other folks been noticing a marked slowdown of egg laying below normal early winter history? we have 13 hens 1-2 years old. They eat organic feed plus loads of fresh from our garden harvest. I'm thinking it might be from the substantial increase in cosmic radiation , geo engineering, or they are just pissed a me for some reason ??????? They average between 1-2 eggs a day. Last week we had a 3 egger day (whoopie) Please share ideas, etc thanks, Kip Roberts
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tristanbgilb
- Posts: 275
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2013 8:40 pm
Re: Chickens won't Lay
I don't raise chickens. I have heard however that lighting is everything for winter eggs. I am certain that there are chicken farmers that know what to do here on this BB.
Tristan Gilbert
Re: Chickens won't Lay
Our girls have slowed down as well. We have 20 laying hens and maybe get 4 - 6 eggs a day at the moment, mostly from our 8 month old gals. Our older gals seem to have stopped completely. They're finishing up their molt so we're leaving the light off to allow them to rest and recover their missing feathers before winter truly hits.
We've increased their protein and added some cracked corn to their run. In a few weeks, we plan on turning the light on, which is on a timer to add a few hours of light in the evening. Light is the driving factor behind the lack of eggs! We also add a scoop of "egg layer boost" or something similar to their water. We get that at the feed store. It's also important that their coop isn't drafty so they can stay warm at night (while still being ventilated to prevent moisture buildup) - we use the "deep litter method" for their bedding which also keeps their coop nice and warm. My thought process is that if they're using all of their energy to stay warm, there's not a lot left over for egg-laying!
We did these things last year and only saw a dip in production in the truly cold (sub zero) days! (we weren't getting summer egg numbers by any means, but they were steadily laying) I hope this helps!
We've increased their protein and added some cracked corn to their run. In a few weeks, we plan on turning the light on, which is on a timer to add a few hours of light in the evening. Light is the driving factor behind the lack of eggs! We also add a scoop of "egg layer boost" or something similar to their water. We get that at the feed store. It's also important that their coop isn't drafty so they can stay warm at night (while still being ventilated to prevent moisture buildup) - we use the "deep litter method" for their bedding which also keeps their coop nice and warm. My thought process is that if they're using all of their energy to stay warm, there's not a lot left over for egg-laying!
We did these things last year and only saw a dip in production in the truly cold (sub zero) days! (we weren't getting summer egg numbers by any means, but they were steadily laying) I hope this helps!
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tristanbgilb
- Posts: 275
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2013 8:40 pm
Re: Chickens won't Lay
This is what GOOGLE HAS TO SAY.
"To ensure winter chicken egg production, consider the following lighting tips:
Light Duration: Provide about 14-16 hours of light per day to simulate summer conditions, which is crucial for egg production.
Light Intensity: Use warm bulbs (less than 3500K) that emit orange and red wavelengths, as these are beneficial for reproductive health.
Gradual Adjustment: Start with a gradual increase in light duration, adding about 45 minutes per week until you reach the desired light cycle.
Dark Periods: Allow for a dark period in the coop to mimic natural light cycles, which helps chickens rest and maintain their health.
Breed Considerations: Different breeds may require varying light intensities; for example, Rhode Island Reds may need less light than others.
By following these guidelines, you can help your chickens continue to lay eggs even during the winter months."
"To ensure winter chicken egg production, consider the following lighting tips:
Light Duration: Provide about 14-16 hours of light per day to simulate summer conditions, which is crucial for egg production.
Light Intensity: Use warm bulbs (less than 3500K) that emit orange and red wavelengths, as these are beneficial for reproductive health.
Gradual Adjustment: Start with a gradual increase in light duration, adding about 45 minutes per week until you reach the desired light cycle.
Dark Periods: Allow for a dark period in the coop to mimic natural light cycles, which helps chickens rest and maintain their health.
Breed Considerations: Different breeds may require varying light intensities; for example, Rhode Island Reds may need less light than others.
By following these guidelines, you can help your chickens continue to lay eggs even during the winter months."
Tristan Gilbert